A much-transformed Manchester City confidently beat struggling Crystal Palace 3-0, igniting the Premier League title race for at least another week.
Josep Guardiola’s side trail Arsenal by two points with two games remaining, and if Mikel Arteta’s side can maintain their perfect form between now and May 24, they will be unable to catch up with their rivals. City relinquished that privilege last week after drawing with Everton.
However, if Arsenal lose, either at home to Burnley or away to Crystal Palace on the final day, City have an opportunity to attack. There is no precedent for such a scenario. No team in the history of the top division has ever won the title by closing a five-point gap in May.
However, City’s last two performances – both 3-0 wins – suggest they believe it is possible. Guardiola’s fist-pumping throughout gave the impression that he had not yet conceded.
Even the under-the-radar Phil Foden made a convincing case, his two assists in the first half giving the hosts a commanding lead and they never looked back from there.
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Antoine Semenyo scored Manchester City’s opening goal in the Premier League against Crystal Palace with a superb assist from Phil Foden’s backheel.
The opener was special. Foden’s moments of instinctive genius are similar to those he produced in City’s last title-winning vintage year of 2023/24. His smart flick found Antoine Semenyo and the forward curled his first goal into the bottom corner.
The second beneficiary was Omar Marmouche, who latched on to a cross that was in the path of Foden before spinning and expertly beating Dean Henderson.
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Marmouche doubled Manchester City’s lead and kept pressure on league leaders Arsenal.
With the major finals just around the corner, both managers made substitutions in the second half to save their legs. City face Chelsea in the FA Cup’s marquee match three days later, while Palace will play in the Conference League final at the end of the month.
Neither side wanted to try too hard in a second half that was more of a formality than a football match, until Rayan Cherki added a third late on with a great pass to Savinho.
Guardiola has never gone a season without winning a league title in any country he has coached. He and his players are putting every ounce of energy into making sure that record lives on.
